Orion Solar Array Wing #2 View of SLS Core Stage Separation

art002m1200912239B (April 1, 2026) - Eight minutes into the flight of NASA’s Artemis II mission, the core stage of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket successfully separated from the interim cryogenic propulsion stage and the Orion spacecraft. This ascent milestone marks the end of the first major propulsion phase of the Artemis II mission and the transition to upper stage operations. Separation takes place four minutes and 20 seconds into the video. There is also a bonus view at the 5 second mark of the three spacecraft adapter jettison panels falling, away following their separation from Orion. This view comes from a camera on Orion’s solar array wing #2.